Having a hard time with your daily devotion?

There are Different Ways to Read the Bible Cover to Cover =)

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Living a good life testimony is not as easy as you think… if you’re on your own. The year 2009 had been really tough for me. The struggle to be consistent with my spiritual walk became harder because I failed to hold on to His word religiously everyday. This is what happens when you start to entertain other things in your life which will later end up as wrong priorities. Instead of fixing your eyes unto Him, you get distracted. But this verse reminds me of how important it is to be diligent and faithful in all aspects of my life. Our life belongs to God ,therefore, it should also mirror “God”.

We give our best to our ministries to serve our King,but along the way, our efforts become an important moving force in other people’s lives. People are saved just by listening or witnessing to one’s life story but they stumble too just by doing the same. You see, that’s where the Grace of God comes in. We can never be worthy to be called as “role models in faith” but we can be a living testimony of God’s grace. If you’re thinking that your life may be a piece of junk right now, “stop!”. Remember that your life is not all about you. Your life is a story of God’s grace. It may be a piece of junk to you but the testimony of your life can lead someone to an eternal treasure in heaven.

But a heart that is most completely delighting itself in the Lord is one that is not concerned with the affairs of this world. Rather, desiring to have more of Him.

If we take a whole-hearted satisfaction in Jesus, he will mold and shape our hearts so that we have proper desires.

In doing so, as we commit our path to He will be faithful to establish our ways before Him. It’s certainly one thing to get what you want from God, but I think you will agree it is another thing to be transformed by Him…

On January 1, 2008, Keith Severin and his 7-year-old son, Adrien, agreed that they would spend at least 15 minutes every day that year searching together for treasure. Carlos Alcalá’s article in the Sacramento Bee described how they went out each day in every kind of weather to see what they could find. A year later their collection of coins, golf balls, recyclable bottles and cans, and various other items had yielded more than $1,000. In the process, they enjoyed many hours of companionship and fun.

If we decided to spend 15 minutes a day searching for treasure in the Bible, what would we find? Solomon wrote: “If you seek [wisdom] as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. . . . Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path” (Prov. 2:4-5,9).

Growth won’t happen all at once. But gradually, day by day, we will be changed through reading God’s Word and obeying Him. And think of the privilege and pleasure of spending time with our heavenly Father.

It begins with a willing commitment, continues with exciting discoveries, and leads to the treasure of wisdom and life. — David C. McCasland

Surrendering My All

2009 had passed and I still could not think of any word to utter but, “grace”. Looking back at all the trials,the weaknesses and the heartaches, I can not help but always ask, “What did I do to deserve a second chance?” Then the image of the cross flashes through my mind.

“Amazing Grace… How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…” – Amazing Grace

“Who am I that You are mindful of me?

That You hear me when I call

Is it true that You are thinking of me?

How you Love me.. It’s Amazing” – Friend of God

Someone said that the 2 greatest days of a person’s life were the day he was born and the day he found out why. The day I found out my purpose in life was the day I met my savior and the day I surrendered my life to Him. Since then, I live my life not by my own will but by His grace. Every blessing I receive, reminds me of my unworthiness and how God’s love conquered it. *Aah… the depth of your love Abba, indeed, no one can fathom.

This year, He deserves more of our CONSISTENCY and OBEDIENCE. He deserves not just a 15-min. of our time everyday but He deserves to be worshiped 24/7. He deserves to be known through the testimony of our lives.. how we live, speak and act should mirror His love. His name deserves to be lifted HIGHER.

Let this be the start of the new year and the end of spiritual malnourishment.

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Reading the word of God is a lifestyle. When we say lifestyle or a way of life, it’s more than a routine but it’s something you can’t live without. You do not just READ it but you LIVE it. It is like drinking water or eating. It is essential to our spiritual growth. Apart from it, Christians will slowly grow cold and die spiritually. The Bible is more than just a book but it is a love story of God and His people. We read it to know God more and to fall in love with Him more. To be apart from Him is the start of a man’s defeat.

God calls us to study His Word. Meditate on it day and night. Know it inside and out. Dig into the passages that trouble us. Ask questions, seek answers. Without that disciplined study of the Bible we cannot follow it. After we learn it, we should carefully walk according to all we have learned.

I came to a point in my life when I sought after the success this world was offering. Later, I found myself on the verge of a larger pitfall. I faced a huge wall of shame and discontentment. I realized that real success is living a life according to God’s will and teachings. Though you encounter obstacles along the way, the shout of the King will forever be yours!

God has given me enough minutes in each day, enough years in my life to accomplish what He has designed for me to complete. When I live according to His schedule I will always have enough time, enough energy, enough success, enough accomplished, enough gained, enough saved, enough fulfilled. There’s always a time for God.